Steam Vs. Link

Hello! This week I've got a more opinionated topic to discuss. My friends at school won't shut up about Steam and Team Fortress 2. I personally hate the FPS genre for it's mindless chaos. I understand that Team Fortress 2 is more cartoony than most, but I still hate it.

The Legend Of Zelda is a very immersive and exciting experience that benefits and shapes all who play it. Steam allows you to play a pirated minecraft with guns and a shitty pixel platformer. I think that Steam will eventually eat up Nintendo. I don't care.

This whole Steam craze is really off-putting for a retro gamer like myself, so I have taken to spreading the love of emulators. Who's gonna play Zelda classic if they have to buy a Wii U? If you can play A Link To The Past on your computer, why would anyone ever buy an NES? Well, I would.

In short, try to spread a little classic Zelda love this week. This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing off.

A Little Zelda Fun

Hello everyone. I felt bad about not posting anything since Hyrule Warriors came out, so I decided to just show of some lighthearted and fun knowledge in the form of a trick you can all perform at home.

First off, I suggest you download a copy of the free and emulated NES Zelda. You can do so at http://www.zeldaclassic.com/downloads.php. This version also comes with a great level editor, like the one that Shigeru Miyamoto referenced in an interview once.

Get yourself to the name input screen, and enter "ZELDA" as your name. This will bring you into a world much different than the one you know. You will have entered the Second Quest. As introduced officially in Nintendo Power #1, the Second Quest is much like the first, except for the fact that everything is rearranged. The dungeons have new layouts, and the secret caves have been shuffled. Have fun on this extremely difficult but fresh quest!

Thanks for tuning in for today. This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out.

Hyrule Warriors Thoughts

Hey everybody! Look, Hyrule Warriors is the best thing to happen to the franchise in a year (A Link Between Worlds). It's super fun, rewarding, and immersive. As a young adult, I often want to escape the world. Hyrule Warriors is the perfect outlet. After my family gets pissed off at me, I love escaping into Eldin Caves, or Faron Woods.

My favorite character by far is Impa. Impa's has gone through some hard times, (google "Oracle of Seasons Impa), but this is a wonderful redesign. I can't believe they represented all the characters perfectly!

Honestly, I have no idea why people don't like the crafting system. It's really rewarding, and makes you want to spend more time in the universe of Hyrule Warriors.

The special attacks are perfect in every way, and each characters are properly represented. My only little nugget of negativity is the cucoos. Why!? The golden cucoos make me want to jump of a bridge.

9 out of 10 Lizalfos Scales on this one, fellow Hylians!

Hyrule Warriors 5 Day Countdown: #5!!

Hello everyone, I'd like to welcome you all to me fifth and final Hyrule Warriors 5 day countdown entry. Today is the day! I have been waiting for three months straight, and I can't wait to get my Hyrule Warriors on! Hyrule Warriors is the seventh Zelda spinoff game. I hope you all have a ton of fun with it over the weekend! It will also be available via Eshop, incase a disc isn't your thing. I hope you all enjoy the game, and I'll see you soon. In the meantime, this is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out!

Hyrule Warriors 5 Day Countdown: #4!

Hey everybody! Last day of waiting has arrived. I've been making the needed precautions for tomorrow, ("Mom, if a box comes labeled Hyrule Warriors, hide it from my brother!") I'll just give you some trivia for today's entry. 

When it comes to the timeline, people take too much time dwelling on where Hyrule Warriors fits in. Well, I think it's all over the place. It has no defined time that it's set in. My guess is that it takes place in one of the alternate/parallel universes that I'm so terribly fond of. If it's in a different universe, then all it's logic is excused. If it's a parallel universe, then clearly Hylia had the choice between dungeons and hyper-violence, and she chose the latter. Well, I hope you all pick up a copy tomorrow, and get the game in the mail before 8:00 PM. This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out.

The Top 5 Times Zelda Has Crossed Over With Other Games

5. The Running Man

Through an immense amount of hacking in Super Mario Sunshine, the character Il Piantisimo is revealed to be Ocarina of Time's running man!!

4. Sleeping Link

In Super Mario RPG for the SNES, you can find none other than Link sleeping in an inn. Talk to him, and a famous Zelda jingle will play. I'll let you find out which one it is on your own!

3. Enemies In Link's Awakening

Link's Awakening had a crazy roster of enemies. The problem was, they were all stolen from Mario. Everything from Goombas to Chain Chomps were killable enemies!

2. Mario in Ocarina of Time

In the courtyard of Hyrule Castle, look into one of the windows using first person. You should be able to see painting of Super Mario 64.

1. Link's Awakening

In Link's Awakening, one of the main characters towards the end of the game is Mamu the frog.  He is also the final boss in Super Mario Bros. 2. Both games take place in dream worlds. Mamu is clearly a recurring character in the Nintendo-verse.

Hyrule Warriors 5 Day Countdown: #3

Hello everyone! Welcome to my third Hyrule Warriors countdown post! I am posting everyday until my copy of Hyrule Warriors arrives!

First off, my Twitter account is now up, so go check that out! Anyway, Hyrule Warriors is getting a lot closer, and I keep telling you all to get some DLC for it. Well, apparently Nintendo is launching paid DLC soon after the game hits shelves! There will be a lot of costume ones, but the most notable is Dark Link. Why Dark Link? Maybe it was just a fun DLC to have in the game, but I think differently. Could it be a reference to the appearance of dark characters in Super Smash Bros. Wii U 3DS? Dark Pit and Dark Link were recently found to be in the game, Link as a costume, Pit as a character. Perhaps we'll be seeing the appearance of more dark characters in recent installments of these series, but in the meantime, this is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out!

A Link Between The Dark Worlds

Hello everybody! I'm here to share a fairly relevant theory/topic with you guys so pay attention!

Alright, I started off thinking about Holodrum (Oracle of Ages/Seasons), and it's similarities with Termina (Majora's Mask). I've noticed a crap-ton of shared features. They share a lot of characters. We have Guru Guru, Malon, Talon, and even the Zora! The area's have a dark feel and color (go ahead and blame it on the gameboy color scheme, but just listen to the music!) In a nut shell, Holodrum = Termina.

That got me thinking, what about the dark worlds. Well just look at the A Link To The Past dark world map. 

Doesn't it feel familiar? That's because it is. It's a parallel universe. We've played through it's original universe, the overworld. A parallel universe is created when you make a decision. A universe is created for every opportunity available, and the world is dictated by that choice. A world this drastically parallel would have to have originated when a critical decision was made in the beginning of it's government's reign. For instance, there is a universe right now where Mitt Romney was elected in the most recent election instead of Barack Obama, (if you live in this universe, then good for you! This blog is quantum proof).

When you think about it, every Zelda dark world is based off this theory! If you're thinking about twilight princess, you're sorely mistaken! Twilight Princess has a full other realm. A parallel universe is defined by similar life forms and characters. This is the principal I got my Holodrum theory from.

The dark worlds from every game in the franchise are connected by the parallel universe theory, but what makes them a dark world is the lack of certain major characters. There can be a parallel universe version of Obama, but he could be the next Hitler in that universe. Hell, I could be a freaking Moon Wizard in another universe. Zelda could be a reincarnation of Ganon in certain universes, deciding their "Dark" fate.

In conclusion, Quantum and parallel universe technology is currently being researched in a lot of places, so that we can discover our own dark worlds. Thanks for listening to my theory, and make sure to tune into my Hyrule Warriors countdown. This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out!

Hyrule Warriors 5 Day Countdown: #2

Hello everybody! I'm back for another countdown post. Again, I'm waiting for my pre ordered copy of Hyrule Warriors to come out here in the states, on Friday the 26th 0f September. 

Hyrule Warriors will actually be the 4th spinoff game in the franchise, and a huge step for the zelda universe. Although everyone dismisses it as non-canon, I think there is a deeper meaning to the story. I'll have more on that this week!

Make sure you find some good DLC for your copy before they ship! Thanks for tuning in! This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out!

Hyrule Warriors 5 Day Countdown: #1

Hey everybody, the fans who pre-ordered hyrule warriors in the states should get their copies in 5 days time! I'll be writing a little something everyday until I get my copy!

First off, I've heard heavily mixed reviews, but the adventure mode will definitely be it's strongpoint. The adventure mode WILL BE A DIRECT COPY OF THE CLASSIC OVERWORLD. If you have any knowledge of the original game, it should be a breeze! See you guys tomorrow for another update, but in the meantime, make sure you've ordered a copy with some Dlc to enjoy! This is Obscure Dungeon Lore, signing out!

SATURDAY ZELDA FACT: #3 Majora's Moon

In the very early editions of Majora's Mask, the Moon was not given a face. This was later changed. This is thought to be why some promotional art features a faceless moon.

SATURDAY ZELDA FACT: #2 A Secret to Everybody's Dark Secret

In the first LoZ, Link finds a Moblin, who gives him a significant amount of rupees. He says, "It's a secret to everybody."

In the Japanese version, his line roughly translates to "Take this as compensation. It's a secret to everybody." He was originally bribing Link!

SATURDAY ZELDA FACT!: #1 Link's Name

Hey everybody! I will be posting a Zelda fact every saturday! As my first, I'll just address Link himself. The Legend Of Zelda was originally going to be a time travel adventure between a dystopian future and fantasy world. "Link", as we now know him, would be in between both worlds, so Shigeru named him Link.

Appearances Of The Elusive Deku Tree

In any of the Legend Of Zelda games, you will most likely encounter a certain Deku lineage. As a Zelda Lore Treasurer, it is my job to track and record all encounters. Please enjoy. All entries are in chronological order.

Ocarina of Time:

Locations: Kokiri Forest

Context: The Great Deku Tree is the ruler of the Kokiri fairy people. He helps you, and gets you started on your journey, but dies because of a curse created by Ganondorf. After the Forest Temple is beaten, the Deku Sprout is born, and claims that it will be the next Great Deku Tree.

Oracle of Seasons

Locations: First Dungeon (The Hero Is Defeated Timeline)

Context: See The Legend Of Zelda

The Legend Of Zelda

Location: First Dungeon (The Hero Is Defeated Timeline)

Context: The first dungeon is in the corpse of the Deku Sprout in OoT.

The Wind Waker

Location: Forest Haven (The Hero Is Triumphant: Adult Era)

Context: This is the Deku sprout from OoT, but in this timeline, he is alive. He is in charge of the last forest in the world. He is the ruler of the Koroks.

Zelda Sprite Gallery

Today I opened an awesome sprite gallery of my own pixel art! All pixel art was hand-drawn by me, and based off Zelda sprites. Please Enjoy!

Dungeon Analysis: Dragon Roost Cavern (LoZ: WW)

I don't know what I can say about this dungeon that hasn't already been said. In my opinion, it is perfect. The puzzles are straightforward and easy to understand. The monsters are easy to kill (but still fun). And the boss is a nice twist. You thing you will be fighting a dragon, hence Dragon Roost Cavern. Then you find out that you need to kill its tormenter, the boss Gohma. The boss is easy to kill and very fun to fight. Also, you incorporate the item you get in that same dungeon! This dungeon is developmentally perfect, and I love how straightforward and simple it is. Hell, it could be a map in Mario Kart! It's so fun, that it keeps you in the story, where most dungeons take you into a more puzzle-centered state of gameplay. I definitely think that they could't have designed a better first dungeon.

Top 10 Zelda Easter Eggs

10: Bowser Necklace

In Ocarina of Time (3D and original) going into view mode in front of Malon (located at Lon Lon Ranch) in the past will reveal a necklace with a Bowser Medallion.

9: It's A Secret To Everybody

In A Link Between Worlds, going into a cave in southern Lorule after completing the Thieve's Lair dungeon will yield a short conversation with the Thief Girl. At the end she says it's a secret to everybody, and gives you a silver (100) rupee. This references the original game, when a Moblin gives you 20 rupees. 

8: Princess Zelda Recognizes Pokemon?!

If you enter the courtyard of Hyrule Castle in Ocarina of Time wearing the Keaton Mask, Zelda will ask if you're "one of those pocket monsters", before returning to her weird staring position.

7: Happy Mario Salesman

In Majora's Mask, a mask identical to Mario's face is strapped to the back of the Happy Mask Salesman. It is a little creepy, seeing as it has no pupils, but it is definitely a cool find!

6: The Chronicles of Tingle

In the Wind Waker, a story about "A fairy who helped the hero of time by providing him with maps" can be read (in Hylian) on one of the many text covered walls. This is a reference to the Tingle in Majora's Mask.

5: Yoshi's Awakening

The Trendy Game in Link's Awakening has some lame prizes. However, there is a Yoshi doll to be won! Although it has no significance to the game, it is a fun discovery to be made.

4: Hyrule Castle Paintings

In Hyrule Castle Courtyard in Ocarina of Time. There are paintings of Mario on the walls of the castle hallway that can be seen in view mode.

3: Luigi is Real?!

In Ocarina of Time, a protruding wall inscription says "L is Real" as a reference to a phrase used in the Mario games for N64.

2:  ZELDA Dungeon (Before It Was Cool)

In the second quest of the original game, the dungeons layouts spell "ZELDA".

1: A Link Between Majora's Mask

In A Link Between Worlds, the bottom right corner of Link's house has Majora's Mask. Nobody knows if this is a correct easter egg, and the mask is a memento from past adventures, or if it is simply a joke hid by the developers. We got an official timeline out of Hyrule Historia, but a link between worlds was not included.

New Beginning

Hello fellow dungeoneers! This is the page in which I will post new lore. You can expect posts weekly, but a schedule has not yet been set. This the beginning of something great, so I implore thee, join me in my quest for knowledge! Stay up to date!